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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why does the cardinal say the clergy keeps silent about the true nature of their power?
(a) To keep control.
(b) Out of love for humanity.
(c) To deceive the weak.
(d) To protect the strong.

2. What does the Cardinal say would happen if Jesus turned stones into bread?
(a) His love would be understood.
(b) Everyone would respect him.
(c) Everyone would be obedient to him.
(d) The bread would be refused.

3. Why does the grand inquisitor say men have fought and killed?
(a) For common worship.
(b) For honor and power.
(c) For freedom to worship.
(d) To preserve the church.

4. Who does the grand inquisitor say the church follows?
(a) The teachings of Christ.
(b) Caesar.
(c) The pope.
(d) The inquisitor himself.

5. What does the grand inquisitor say the church has done to Jesus' work?
(a) Brought his work to the masses.
(b) Finished his work.
(c) Corrected his work.
(d) Helped his work to completion.

6. According to the grand inquisitor, what is the church's work founded on?
(a) Jesus promise to mankind
(b) Fear of punishment
(c) Truth and happiness
(d) Miracle, mystery, and authority.

7. What does Ivan promise to do before he dies?
(a) Travel wide and spread love.
(b) Follow the teachings of Jesus on his own.
(c) Return to visit Alyosha.
(d) Join the church.

8. What does the cardinal think will lead man away from Jesus?
(a) Increased spiritual thinking.
(b) Worrying about the future.
(c) Having physical comfort.
(d) Not having enough bread.

9. Why does the cardinal think that the church will appear to be gods?
(a) They will perform miracles.
(b) They will free the people from spiritual thought.
(c) They will have be all powerful.
(d) They will preach God's word.

10. How is the world divided according to the grand inquisitor?
(a) Followers of Jesus and followers of the church.
(b) Into those who believe, wonder and disbelieve.
(c) Into the holy and unholy.
(d) By class and ethnicity.

11. Describe Alyosha's reaction to Ivan's tale.
(a) He wants to know more.
(b) He is bored by the long story.
(c) He agrees wholeheartedly.
(d) He questions Ivan's poem as absurd.

12. Why does the inquisitor say people won't need Jesus?
(a) They won't need miracles.
(b) They will be able to feed themselves.
(c) They will have become wise.
(d) They won't want outside help.

13. What does Alyosha think the Inquisition's secret aim is?
(a) Power and control.
(b) Helping the weak.
(c) Finding the truth.
(d) Spreading the word of Jesus.

14. What mystery does Ivan say is guarded?
(a) Jesus never existed.
(b) The church doesn't believe what they teach.
(c) The clergy is really after money.
(d) There is no God.

15. What does the grand inquisitor say Jesus wishes from people?
(a) For them to live as one.
(b) For them to treat each other as equals.
(c) To have them love him on their own.
(d) For them to heal one another.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does the grand inquisitor say the church must do for the people?

2. Why will they/he continue to suffer?

3. How does the inquisitor equate the clergy and Jesus himself?

4. Why does the cardinal say the people would respect Jesus' power if he fed them?

5. How does the grand inquisitor think Jesus created conscience?

(see the answer keys)

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